Thomas John Russell, Jr died on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at the age of 84, after overcoming numerous physical challenges over several decades, including colon cancer, bladder cancer, kidney disease and more. He was a loving father, grandfather, and brother, and was known as a kind and gentle soul, with a healthy sense of humor and positive outlook on life.

Tom was born on March 9, 1938 in Manchester, CT to Annie (Leggett) Russell and Thomas J Russell, Sr, and grew up in the South side of Manchester, living in the neighborhood behind his church home, The Salvation Army. He graduated from Manchester High School in 1952, where he had excelled at sports including basketball, football, swimming and also participated in the high school marching band.

Tom served in the US Air Force for 4 years and also attended school both abroad and domestically, including the Memorial University of Newfoundland (Canada), finishing with a bachelor’s degree in Geography at the University of Connecticut. On June 18, 1966 Tom married the love of his life, Margaret Jane Cluett, whom he had met while visiting The Salvation Army’s summer Camp Wonderland in Sharon, MA, where his beloved was working alongside his sister, Beverly (Russell) Watson.

Tom had a career with great variety, working in many places and capacities, including General Electric, where he traveled widely, even as far as Alaska. He finally settled into a position at Morland Valve in his hometown of Manchester, where he performed several functions, finishing as Chief Inspector of submarine valves and various related parts. He later worked for the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Hartford, CT and finally finished his career in a similar capacity as he began, for Dynamic Gunver Technologies, sometimes working the night shift, which he enjoyed.

Tom was an active member (“soldier”) of his home church, The Salvation Army, in Manchester, CT. He was faithfully committed to a variety of ministries over many years, but was most active in the Manchester Citadel Band, where he served for 67 years, playing many instruments including the tenor horn, tuba and baritone horn. Tom enjoyed the band’s Sunday morning responsibilities, but was especially passionate about opportunities for the band to play out, and was active in smaller ensembles which would visit elderly and shut-ins, both at their private residence and in local convalescent homes, playing for patients at Manchester Hospital over the holidays and of course at the iconic red kettle donation sites, where he enjoyed interacting with the public, both in small groups and on his own as a brass soloist.

Tom has been described as a fine Christian gentleman, known for his gentleness and kindness to all. Faith was central to Tom’s existence and he maintained a humble view of himself in relationship to the God he served, and his personal savior, Jesus Christ. Tom was a loving husband, caring father and was compassionate to all those in need. He would often give to countless causes over the years, and could never turn down a phone call from someone who plead the case for the downtrodden. Tom loved animals, particularly dogs. People were Tom’s passion, and he always had a kind word and great admiration for his family and all those he knew.

Tom is survived by his wife Margaret (Cluett) Russell, three sons: David Russell, Peter Russell and Daniel Russell and their spouses, Christiane (Bode) Russell and Beth (Thompson) Russell. He was a caring grandfather to his six grandchildren: Emma, Jacob, Benjamin, Joy, Eliza and Ethan. Tom was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Majors Beverly (Russell) and James Watson.

A Memorial Service in honor of Tom’s life will be held at a date to be determined.

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